This seems a strange thing to say to someone who has just had a life changing experience! The likely reason is that Jesus wanted to carry on with his mission as quickly as possible and the presence of crowds would have impeded him. However, the healed leper naturally couldn’t keep quiet – but Jesus didn’t seem to mind.

There is also something about this statement that was incredibly personal for this man: the gift of healing was given for him personally. Jesus was not concerned with making statements about it, or using him as a trophy to show how in touch with God Jesus was. Jesus did this act of healing just for him.

We are not notches on the belt of Jesus, but are recipients of personal touches of his love. Whatever Jesus has done for you was done out of his love. There may be many more things you would like him to do, in which case the Bible encourages you to come to him and ‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5.7).

Jesus’ love and care for you is personal, so let your gratitude to him be just as personal.